David Rives

David Rives, age 76, passed away January 12, 2024, at Cambridge Health and Rehabilitation in Richmond, Texas. He had courageously and faithfully faced many challenges over the past 30 years.

He was born on November 30, 1947, in Houston. After graduating from John H Reagan High School in Houston in 1965, David went on to earn a master’s degree in health and physical education from Lamar State College of Technology in 1972. He served as coach and teacher at Industrial High School (Vanderbilt, TX) and East Bernard High School from 1972-1981. He retired from the State of Texas, Department of Health where he was a Program Specialist monitoring EMS firms in 2000. He retired from SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC), where he served as Executive Director and coordinated SE Texas trauma and emergency response working with Dr. Red Duke in 2013. David was also one of the founders of the agency that eventually became East Bernard EMS.

David thoroughly enjoyed mentoring and the friendships he made through his work. He was a positive presence for those who interacted with him—always kind and willing to share his knowledge. David enjoyed spending time with friends and family and was especially proud of his grandchildren. He was a kind, gentle soul—a good man. He enjoyed sports—high school, university, professional, NASCAR—and was a devoted Astros fan.

David, a resident of East Bernard, was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Rives and Alberta Sundermeyer Rives. He is survived by his step sons, Jody Fuechec and wife, Sandra, Thomas Fucik, Glen Fucik and Tim Fucik and wife, Sarah and their mother, Kathryn Krenek Rives; grandchildren, Jared Fuechec and wife, Sarah, Caitlyn Fuechec Wade and husband, Harley, Zachary Fuechec, and Sam Fucik; cousins Mark Taylor and wife, Pam, and Timothy Taylor and wife, Colleen and Cookie Ogden

Visitation will be at Wharton Funeral Home, 515 Boling Highway, Wharton, Texas on Tuesday, January 30 after 5 pm. Funeral service will be officiated by Rev. Mak Percival at First United Methodist Church, 421 Pietzsch St., East Bernard, Texas on Wednesday, January 31 at 11 am. Graveside service will be on January 31 at 3 pm at Magnolia Cemetery, 816 Montrose Blvd, Houston, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Jalowy, Clair McCalla, Roland Orsak, Fernando Posada, David Tomchesson and David Webster. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to East Bernard EMS, PO Box 612, East Bernard, TX or First United Methodist Church, East Bernard.

His family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Cambridge Health and Rehabilitation and to his friends and family members who assisted during his final years.

Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.whartonfuneralhome.com (http://www.whartonfuneralhome.com/)